Man killed with samurai sword in drug feud

Police are hunting two men after a drug feud ended with the murder of a suspected dealer with a samurai sword. A second man, who was cornered in a bedsit, was in intensive care after the late-night attack.

Two men in hooded jackets were seen running from the flat in Corby, Northamptonshire, where the victim was named by neighbours as Garth Muir, 30.

The other victim, known locally as "James" and also in his 30s, is critical in Kettering General hospital.

The killing followed violence in an alleged turf war between rival gangs in the town, which has only gradually built up new industries since iron and steelmaking ended in the 1980s.

A neighbour on the Hazel Leys estate said: "In the past few weeks people have been beaten up in the town and or taken out to woods and had a gun put to their heads as warning. It would not surprise me that a sword was used because they want to scare off others." The wanted men were described by police as white and in their early to mid-20s. One was wearing a baseball cap, hooded top, dark trousers and dark shoes. The second was slim and wearing a black hooded top, dark hat, dark trousers and dark shoes.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil McMahon of Northamptonshire police said: "This was a very violent and brutal assault that has left one man dead and the other fighting for his life. Both men sustained numerous wounds and whoever was responsible for this would be covered in blood. We would also like to speak to anyone who may have private CCTV installed in their homes or at local businesses in the area or to anyone who may have found any discarded items of clothing."